"CinnaMonkey" Frozen Yogurt
Ingredients:
2 small-medium bananas
1 1/2-2 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter
1/2 c. skim yogurt
1/4 c. skim milk
1 tablespoon of liquid caramel (substitute honey, sugar+vanilla extract, etc.)
A few Dashes of cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Chopped up chunks of dark chocolate
Directions:
Because I'm awesome/a beast, and I don't have a blender, I squished everything by hand with a potato masher, directly in a plastic container. Again, because I'm awesome, I don't have an ice-cream maker, so I put it in the freezer for about 45 minutes, stirred it up again, and left it to freeze for another 30-45 minutes or so. I just kept repeating the process until I thought it looked pretty good--3 or 4 times.
I served it with extra cinnamon sprinkled over the top and a caramel drizzle. For a little crunch, I think some cinnamon flavored kiddy cereal or even some crumbly cookies over the top could be a nice addition. Yes, you're allowed to do it because it's not ice cream, it's frozen yogurt.
This is my adaptation of a recipe found whilst trolling Pinterest. You can find the original here at OhShineOn's blog.
Books
Although I usually don't read nonfiction works, I've recently read two outstanding autobiographies. The first was Just Kids by Patti Smith, and the second was Black Boy by Richard Wright.
Just Kids by Patti Smith 80 greasy grilled cheese sandwiches
The book tells the story of her life with Robert Maplethorpe. Swarms of celebrities--Bob, Jimmy, Janis, Andy W.--and the incredibly chaotic scene of New York City in the 70s provides an interesting backdrop for a very moving story of personal struggles in pursuit of art and self-understanding. The progression of their very unique relationship and their sometimes intersecting, sometimes parallel searches for fulfillment propel the book chronologically and emotionally. I believe I have a better understanding of the human beings behind the iconic images. Both Smith and Maplethorpe are incredibly enigmatic and accessible all at once. The book (and a recently released single) has left me anxiously awaiting the release of Smith's new album Banga.
Black Boy by Richard Wright
I won't rate this because it seems insulting to connect food with a book that so often talks about a person's nearly lifelong, poverty-induced hunger.
This is a very strong portrait of a dark time in American history and a bleak period in a very gifted person's life. Readers can feel Wright's alienation not only from society due to his race, but also his psychological alienation from family and self. Throughout the book Wright has to grapple with crushed hopes and failed communication, being forced into certain roles and accepted patterns of expression, by those around him. You follow Wright's perceptions of others, watching his insight and introspection deepen as he ages. The increasingly sophisticated self-reflection is what makes the narrative so engaging for the audience. A very important, very modern work.
Music
NPR's First Listen has provided me with enough auditory material to fill multiple, longwinded blog posts this week. However, because I'm feeling a bit lazy, I will give a quick gloss of highlights, as a nibble, and leave it to others to decide more once they listen.
Regina Spektor's What We Saw from the Cheap Seats Holy li2uoi4u2o83u4oi1u!
Very, very exciting stuff. I'll be happy when it's released for purchase. Listeners can see that she's still making enjoyable music.
Valtari by Sigur Rós 23153 Viking sized sheep heads
Misty, other worldy. Sigur Rós. It was worth waiting for.
Heaven by The Walkmen 65 cups of ambrosia
Although I don't really understand it, something makes me giggle and think of The Smiths, Deathcab, and Buddy Holly.
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Here 26783 Zero bars
Country folk funk. Fun rhythms, lo-fi sounds. Tambourines. done.
Go out and read a book, stuff your face with something cold, and listen to some cool new stuff.
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